Appetency

FIFTEEN

   The grand duke of the north had come to capital early. Laurent's grandfather. It surprised everyone since it was a sudden decision.

And now, Laurent was sitting in front of the old man in a restaurant, having a nice meal while trying his best to fight off a smile.

Grand Duke Magnus raises an eyebrow at the sight of his adoptive grandson.

"You seem very pleased, Laurent. Don't tell me it's because of my visit," he dryly states.

"Of course, it is. Why else would I be this happy?"

"Not once have you ever been happy to see me. Especially when you come visit the north."

Laurent tries to wave it off. "That is all in the past. But Grandfather, why did you come to the capital? You don't usually come to this place."

"I thought about what we talked about last time before you left to go see the emperor. Actually, speaking about him, how was it? You didn't anger him or anything of the sort, right?"

"Does it matter if I did?"

His grandfather sets his cup down a little too loudly and looks at Laurent unhappily.

"You need to mind your manners. The imperial palace isn't just any place someone can visit. Emperor Ephraim especially hates receiving guests, you know this," Grand Duke Magnus scolds.

Laurent frowns heavily. "No, I don't. I don't care about him, so why should I remember what he likes or dislikes-"

"Laurent."

"I'm just being honest. Don't get so worked up with me."

"If you dislike the emperor so much, why are you trying to get rid of Valentino then? I've been wanting to ask about that."

Laurent pauses, hesitant to reply right away and tried to carefully go about this. He can't reveal too much, otherwise the system might scold him or worse.

Just a little lie should do and some impromptu.

"I told you that everything I have done and will continue to do is for the family," Laurent finally answers, picking at his food. "The late Marquis Phillip took me in after my own family fell apart and did his best to raise me. It's only natural to repay his efforts."

"When you say it like that, it makes it sound so simple as to why you're doing this. Isn't there something more?"

"Should there be?"

Grand Duke Magnus eyes him warily. "I've known you for a long time, Laurent. You've always done everything for your own benefit. Just because you had respect and affection for my late son doesn't mean you'd risk your life doing this-"

"Why not? You don't know me that well, Grandfather. Don't act so smug about it and leave my admiration for my late father alone."

"Excuse me?"

Laurent gives the grand duke a strange look like he's the one who sounds dumb.

"I can do whatever I want to do and I don't need anyone's permission to do so, nor do I need to answer for my actions. That's how I've always lived and will continue to live."

Grand Duke Magnus falters for a bit. The suspicious is still there and Laurent can't do anything about it, but he baits the old man enough to where he simply sighs and sags his shoulders.

What Laurent said was right. After all, his adoptive grandson was never the type to ask permission from others.

He supposes if there's one thing Marquis Phillip did right, it's that he took in the right kid to raise. It was good to learn Laurent wasn't the type to bite the hand that fed him, but who would've known he'd go through extreme matters just to ensure their family's safety and stability? All of that relied on the emperor being alive.